Hypothermia Prevention in Major Trauma Patients

Abstract

Traumatic injuries present a significant health challenge for providers, often resulting in hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis, referred to as the trauma triad of death. Hypothermia significantly impacts trauma patients\u27 outcomes and exacerbates morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in trauma cases with high injury severity scores who require immediate surgical intervention. Despite the detrimental effects of hypothermia, evidence-based approaches to treating hypothermia in this population are lacking. Traditional warming methods heavily rely on provider preference and can lead to inconsistent care. Rapid, reliable, and effective resuscitation interventions are essential in the immediate care of major trauma patients. The proposed project will create evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of hypothermia in trauma patients arriving to the emergency room and operating room. After receiving approval from hospital administration, the project team will gather data from previous major trauma patients and educate nursing and anesthesia staff on the new hypothermia guidelines. The trial period will last eight months. After completion of the trial period, data gathered will evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines in preventing the incidence of hypothermia. The project team expects the implementation of practice guidelines will decrease the incidence of hypothermia in major trauma patients who require immediate surgery. Effective prevention of hypothermia in trauma patients necessitates a multifaceted approach. By integrating innovative temperature control solutions into trauma resuscitation protocols, healthcare providers can mitigate the detrimental effects of hypothermia, ultimately saving lives and improving patient care